TreeLog

I love the month of December in Mauritius where we enjoy the beauty of the flamboyant tree, juicy tropical mangoes and litchis; where the earth and sky seem to celebrate this festive season.

December also marks the celebration of Christ’s birth. 11 days before Christmas and the preparations have started;I love buying and gifting presents and seeing the joy on people’s face. On Saturday we had a big family gathering and enjoyed Secret Santa gifts, with my dad disguised as Santa Claus.

I also honour the spiritual side of Christmas and love attending mass prior to Christmas day. “La messe de noël” as we call it in French.  Listening to the priest, the choir and the story of Jesus Christ’s birth fill my heart with warmth. My family is not catholic but I love going to churches for their serene energy.

So yes, I do celebrate Christmas like most Mauritians do. We put up the Christmas tree at home, share gifts, have nice meals and my special moment is attending Christmas mass. Did you know that the origin of the word “ Christmas” is Chris’ mass; a church service in honour of Christ’s birth.

I also do my best to celebrate Christmas in an eco friendly way- reusing wrapping paper, gifting bags and Christmas decorations. In my previous job we also used wooden palettes to make Christmas trees and they came out great!

I think the less waste we generate, the better we can take care of the environment.

Pope Francis spoke about our common home, the environment and how important it is to preserve it.

So this Christmas think about the 3 Rs of leading a sustainable life: Reduce – Reuse – Recycle.

Together our actions will have a greater impact.

P.S: This year I am planning to follow the Icelandic tradition of reading a book for Christmas eve…

How are you planning to celebrate Christmas? Feel free to share your comments.

The “nauvari”… 9 yards of beautiful cloth draped in a majestic way creating the “ kashti” or “kashta”, the Maharashtrian  dhoti style saree. Nav means nine in Marathi, referring to the length of the saree.

The “Nauvari” saree is a traditional Maharashtrian outfit which dates back to warrior times in India, where Maratha women went to war and rode horses. The traditional saree was therefore adapted for ease of movement and convenience. The great ladies such as Rani Laxmibhai who fought against the British , Ahilyabhai, Jijabhai, mother of Shivaji Maharaj all fought and led battles wearing their dothi style Maharashtrian saree.

In Mauritius we commonly call this dhoti style of draping as “ kashti” . We wear this outfit during special occasions, weddings and festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi.

Brides can also choose to wear the kashti as their wedding outfit, pairing it with beautiful jewellery and the manduvli ( pearl-like string tied around their forehead). 

Maharashtrian outfits are worn with jewellery such as the nath ( nose ring, kudhi studs, pear-like necklaces and the moon shape bindi ( tikka).

The kashti can be of simple cotton worn during occasions like prayers or made from luxurious fabrics such as silk for weddings. The Paithani style is my favourite with peacocks designs, embroidery and silk fabric.

I have worn the kashti for Ganesh Chaturthi festival this year after a very long time. My cousin did the draping for me, making the pleats and passing the fabric between the legs to make it look like a dhoti ( indian style pants). It is a form of art on its own! Unlike the saree, we wear the kashti with leggings underneath instead of petticoat.

It was fun to dress up, feeling the powerful energy of the Maharashtrian warrior ladies. I hope you enjoy this post and for lady readers, why not try wearing the Nauvari one day ( if you have not tried it yet!).

This weekend, I am paying tribute to my ancestors. Yesterday was All Saints day and I accompanied my dad to the cemetery with flowers for my grandparents and other  relatives. I had a little tour in the cemetery, listening to my dad talking about our relatives resting here – names and stories that form our family tree.

Today is public holiday and we celebrate the arrival of indentured labourers in Mauritius. A day in honour of our ancestors who crossed the ocean from India to work in the sugar cane fields on this small island.

In 1834, the British Government tried “ the great experiment” in Mauritius, which entailed replacing slaves by indentured labour. The word “indentured” is a form of labour bound by a contract for a number of years and can be without salary; both parties can also agree on a prepaid lump sum or form of compensation.

About half a million indentured labourers came from India and landed at Apravasi Ghat in Mauritius, which became known as one of the greatest migration in history ( source: UNESCO website).

My own ancestors came from the state of Maharashtra in India. They brought with them the culture, traditions and language which we are still using in Mauritius.

This morning I visited the oldest Marathi temple in Mauritius – the Cascavelle Pandurang Kshetra Mandir built in 1902. The temple hosts Lord Vitthal, also known as Panduranga and today we celebrated Ekadashi, which is also called the day of Lord Vishnu. 

The name Pandurang originates from Pandharpur, found in the state of Maharashtra and is known as a holy place for Lord Vishnu (called Vitthal or Pandurang). 

I find this beautiful that we are still celebrating the devotion which was brought by our ancestors nearly 190 years ago.

My close friends know how much I treasure cultural diversity and my post is to share my roots, which are part of who I am today.

I didn’t post on the blog lately because I was caught up in a whirlwind of celebrations!  A wedding celebration and Divali festival kept me on my toes during October.

My cousin got married two weeks ago and my brother’s wedding was in June this year. Two close weddings in a year demand a lot of outfits, accessories and of course dressing up! Both weddings were done the traditional Maharashtrian way, rich in rituals and tradition.

It started with “Outna” on Friday. Outna is a ritual where the would be groom receives a bath with fresh coconut water which is believed to purify the groom. The same rituals are done if a girl is getting married too.

The following day is the “Haldi” ceremony. Haldi means turmeric where a paste made from fresh turmeric is applied on the groom’s body for purification, protection and a beautiful glow for the wedding day.

After the turmeric ceremony, a prayer called Yajmanpan is held where rice is put in a basket and five ladies are called to crush the rice with a wooden pole. My role as the sister was to hold a lamp in a platter (above the pole) while the ladies are crushing the rice. It was quite a tedious task as my arms got tired holding the platter high up! The priest spoke in Marathi and asked the groom to check if the rice has been crushed properly. We all had a good laugh during this ritual.

Saturday nights are known for the traditional 7 curries and Ora ( a type of roti made with maize or ground rice). The night is often filled with live music, singing and dancing.

The following day is the big wedding day. Sunday starts early morning with a ritual called “Sandoline” where the groom receives a cold water bath sitting under a wooden structure. This is a less known ritual as it is held too early and only the brave souls who wake up at dawn can assist this ceremony.

The main wedding ceremony is where the bride and groom go around the fire. In mahahashtrian culture, the ceremony starts with a white piece of cloth separating the bride and groom and their families. Two uncles from each side of the family will hold the cloth high and one needs to pull it as the priest or priestess will say  “Shubha Mangala Savdhaan” which means “Be careful, and have an auspicious and fruitful marriage” .There are a lot of rituals involved on that day, including the vows, the “Kanyadhaan” meaning giving away of the bride, the exchange of wedding rings and the bride wearing the mangalsutra ( wedding chain).

In my family, a special prayer called “Gondhal” is performed when the eldest or youngest son of the family gets married. It is a long prayer with traditional musical instruments and songs dedicated to Aai Bhawani ( the goddess also known as Durga or Bhairavi). 

The wedding celebrations usually end with a feast; a reception ceremony where alcohol and non vegetarian food are served with music and dancing throughout the night. This is usually held on Sunday evenings or Mondays.

To note that as time evolves, some families choose to adapt the wedding celebrations as per their schedule, budget and convenience. Some weddings can be held during weekdays or a one-day wedding. We, Mauritians also like to mix other cultures and traditions such as for example holding a mehendi night on Fridays.

In my humble opinion, to get married or not is a personal choice which should not be determined by society or family pressure. It should come from love and a willingness to share our life with another person.

And well… I’ve been told lately that I attend everyone’s wedding…except my own 😂

Back in 2004 when I was doing my undergraduate degree, I had a few art modules which encouraged us to observe our surroundings. One reality that struck through was the amount of waste that we were generating… the plastic bottles, packaging, aluminum cans, clothes etc. We throw them away without realising the impact of our actions on the environment.

Pollution: we hear this word often but do we realise how our actions are contributing everyday to pollution and affecting the environment?

Where does these waste go? How long do they take to decay? Can we reuse them to reduce pollution?

I started collecting waste for my art projects. I collected plastic bottles from the hotel nearby, the packaging of chocolates that I eat, newspapers… I used them for my artworks, 21 years ago when it was still avant-gardist to use waste products in art. 

In our current time 2025, I see a rise in consciousness. Hotels for example are no longer giving their clients plastic water bottles. Some hotels are bottling their own reusable water bottles and others are using bottles made from biodegradable material. These are positive actions but there is still a long way to go, starting with the basics like providing recycling bins to all the households in Mauritius.

In this Anthropocene era, it is important that we, human beings become conscious of our daily actions and how they can impact our planet… positively or negatively.

What do you do to minimize your impact on the environment?

P.S: All these artworks below were made during my undergraduate studies.

Observing my surroundings and drawing it (material used : piece of carton)

These huge giants gracing the sky… 

Mountains, which have emerged due to volcanic activity millions of years ago. 

They stand huge and majestic. I find mountains beautiful. Tall and strong, mountains send a message to stay grounded, unmovable and unfazed by what is happening around us. Resilience at its best. 

We can have a stand alone mountain, mountain ranges which are a series of mountains in one line or hills which are small mounts, all of volcanic origins.

Mountains are very useful to the ecosystem, they act as “ water towers” and help to capture water which flows into rivers and provide us with freshwater for survival.

They are also a symbol of achievement; enjoying that magnificent view after a strenuous climb. Feeling on top of the world when reaching the peak.

Mountains are also considered as mystic places in different cultures, where people go to seek spiritual experiences. It is believed that god resides up in the mountains, like in Hinduism, Mount Kailash in the Himalayas is known as the abode of Lord Shiva. Himalaya is a Sanskrit word meaning “abode of snow”.

The Mauritian author Malcom de Chazal wrote about mountains in his book “Petrusmok”, where his imagination turned mountains into giants.

Personally, I love mountains. I used to observe mountains while traveling by bus when I was younger and finding forms and shapes in their relief. 

My favourite mountain is Le Morne Brabant mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is rich in history and also has the best view on the island. I have climbed Le Morne Brabant, Mont Lion near Mahebourg, Piton Canot in Chamarel and Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, the highest peak of Mauritius. As a child who grew up with chronic asthma and did not do any sports, climbing a mountain and reaching the top gave me a great sense of achievement. 

In 2017 I was in Munich and went on top Zugspitze mountain, the highest peak in Germany where I saw snow for the first time in my life. What an amazing experience it was to travel by train and cable car to visit a mountain and enjoy a delicious onion soup. 

Did you know that mountains can grow? Due to the ongoing tectonic activities Mount Everest for example is growing by a few millimeters every year. 

Have you ever climbed a mountain? Which one is your favourite? 

I would love to visit the Himalayas one day. Aspiring Edmund Hillarys, share your thoughts!

Have you ever… hugged a tree?

Sounds weird but tree hugging is actually becoming a buzz as it is said to have various benefits such as decreasing stress levels and releasing oxytocin. Oxytocin is called the love hormone but I like to call it the kindness hormone. Healers advocate that hugging a tree is a method to connect with nature and can have therapeutic and healing benefits. In Japan they called it Shirin-yoku, known as forest bathing. 

I feel that just being in the forest or a place with huge trees has soothing benefits. Hugging a tree is a simple process; close your eyes, extend your arms to wrap around the trunk and press your cheeks on the bark. This might be a little uncomfortable at the beginning if the texture of the tree trunk is rough but it helps to be grounded in the moment…the NOW. Hug the tree and breath, keeping the eyes close and listening to the natural environment around: rustling of leaves, birds chirping and your breath.

Enjoy the moment and feel the weight off your shoulders and thank Mother Earth for this beautiful treasure which provides you with the oxygen you breathe everyday…

Try hugging a tree and let me know in the comments…I did ( pictures below)

I am an “Opacarophile”…I had to use Google to know the meaning when I heard this word for the first time. It simply means I am a sunset lover… I adore sunsets, that magical moment when the sun is going to sleep, giving us a spectacular palette of colours; orange, pink, purple. Sunsets often give me that craving to paint and play with these colours; wild, warm, mesmerising colours. 

One can see breathtaking sunsets from La Gaulette, my birthplace. This is not a biased opinion because I was born and raised here but nature has been kind to surround this picturesque place with amazing views of Le Morne Brabant mountain, Ile aux benitiers and the Black River mountain range. A sunset added to this backdrop is pure magic!

La Gaulette, a small fishing village on the South West coast of Mauritius derives its name from the french word “gaulette”, meaning fishing rod in English. Long ago, fishing was the main economic activity in the village due to its proximity to the ocean.

The simple rustic village I have known as a kid has now transformed into a little independent locality, hosting a police station, a small commercial centre where we have a pharmacy, café, restaurant and shops and a newly built fuel station.

The village is now well known as a stop over for kite surfers due to the famous One Eye surfing spot situated about 10 mins away by car. Travelers can find accommodation with the locals who rent their houses to tourists and kite surfers who want to experience the local culture of living in a village. 

Two weeks ago we celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi festival and we had an amazing view of the sun sinking behind “Ile aux benitiers” with Le Morne Brabant mountain standing proudly, the peaceful sea and picturesque views of the mountains.

We live in a peaceful community in La Gaulette, where I can go to the temple or attend mass for Christmas; a loving place where neighbours know and help each other.

I often look up towards the mountains thinking how amazing it would be to have a sunset view of La Gaulette from up there. Chamarel viewpoint is the best spot to capture amazing photos of La Gaulette and the sunsets. 

Are you an Opacarophile? Come and visit my birthplace , you will surely fall in love with its warmth and serenity…

Happiness🙂

We may look at a tree thinking it is only a piece of wood but did you know that they are actually our superheroes saving our lives everyday?

We, humans tend to forget our interconnectedness with trees. Humans and trees form one entity because of our cyclical and harmonious relationship: we breathe in oxygen generated by trees and exhale carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Trees inhale the carbon dioxide which we have released through their stomata( pores on their leaves) and in turn release oxygen as a byproduct during photosynthesis.

What a unique and beautiful relationship we share with trees. We need each other to be alive!

Trees are crucial for life on planet earth and there has been so much harm done already with deforestation around the globe.

According to UNDP, every year the world loses 10 million hectares of forest. Deforestation and forest degradation amount to nearly 11% of global carbon emission.

In Mauritius, only 1.5% of our native forest remains. We need to take action now.

It is a time of awakening, to become conscious of the harm caused by cutting trees and in turn encourage reforestation/afforestation to  be able to sustain the planet for the future generations.

Let’s plant a tree! We are ONE, from the same source of creation 🌳🧬

Today we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, in honour of the elephant headed god Ganesha. He is worshipped as the remover of obstacles and god of wisdom. Ganesha has many names and the most popular ones are Vigneshwar, Ganapathi, Gajanana and Vinayaka.

My ancestors came from Maharashtra, a state in the West of India. They came to Mauritius as immigrants and have kept the traditions of the Maharashtrian culture alive. Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the main festivals celebrated by the Marathi community in Mauritius.

I grew up celebrating this festival every year.  My grandparents used to host the Ganapathi bappa idol (handmade from earth) in their home and it was a moment of pure joy, togetherness and sharing.

I love the simple olden days of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi which were filled with traditions taught by our ancestors. Food, clothing, rituals and music which we would experience only during this festival.

A highlight of Ganesh Chaturthi is the traditional dance known as jhakri. We dance and sing in circles with the music instruments being played live.

What is the significance of Ganesh Chaturthi? It is a festival to celebrate Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati. He is the first god that hindus invoke before prayers. 

Under British rule in India, Lokmanya Tilak started the Ganesh Chaturthi festival to bring people together. In Mauritius we share this togetherness with people of all communities. 

Today we went to the seaside for the visarjan ceremony where we left the Ganesh idol to dissolve in the sea while singing the lines “ Ganpathi bappa morya, purchay varshi lawkar ya” meaning Praise to Lord Ganpathi, please come back to us quickly next year… 

It is a symbolic farewell where the idol made of earth goes back to Mother Nature, dissolving our egos and reminding us that nothing in life is permanent.

Ganpathi bappa morya!